Story and Photographs by Ruben Gusman As the final battle of the weekend concluded, the drama was not yet over. A single mounted courier raced down along the spectators lines and cried out," Don't leave, don't leave!, We're going to charge the crowd!" Spectators stood down and awaited to receive the charge. The entire Confederate Army assembled in the distance and formed one long spectacular battle line. The order was given to fix bayonets and the scene become more impressive as the sound of hundreds of steel bayonets were affixed to their muskets! Not since the battle of Wilson's Creek 2000, have spectators in this area witnessed this kind of charge. Although on a much smaller scale, a Union Brigade charged the spectators with fixed bayonets at that event as well. A real treat for the onlookers to see and an impressive sight to behold! After the conclusion of the charge, reenactors paused to answer questions from the spectators and educated them about life in the 1860's. One enthusiastic youngster even requested to get an autograph from one of the soldiers. "Can I please have your autograph sir?", Sure the soldier replied, do you have a pen and paper for me? The finale to this event was a great way to end a very good reenactment and the 2002 season! We will look forward to the next Prairie Grove event in 2004.